At noon, the two of them enjoyed a picnic on the blanket, having prepared their meal in advance. Nezha had brought along fruits and snacks that Ao Bing liked, while Ao Bing had prepared exquisite sandwiches and salads.
"Ao Bing," Nezha suddenly said, "have you ever thought about what our lives would be like if we hadn't met in college?"
Ao Bing put down his sandwich and pondered the question seriously. "I might have followed my father's plans and taken over the affairs of the Dragon Tribe early on, becoming a responsible but uninspired leader. The Underwater Concert Hall wouldn't exist, and my love for music would have been buried under heavy responsibilities."
Nezha fell into thought as well. "And I might have continued being a rebellious Problematic Youth until one day I completely wasted my talent. Or I would have reluctantly listened to my parents' advice, found a stable but passionless job, and lived an ordinary life."
They exchanged smiles, each seeing relief and gratitude in the other's eyes.
"Fortunately, we met," Ao Bing said softly. "You taught me to bravely express myself and pursue my true passions."
"You changed me too," Nezha said, taking Ao Bing's hand. "You made me realize that responsibility and dreams can coexist, helping me find a worthy goal to strive for."
The sunlight bathed them in warmth, and a gentle breeze brought a refreshing coolness. In that moment, all the busyness and fatigue seemed trivial; what mattered was their companionship and understanding of one another.
After the holiday ended, they returned to their busy lives, but this brief respite made them cherish their time together even more and understand each other's struggles and efforts better.
One evening, Nezha returned home to find Ao Bing busy in the kitchen, with an array of exquisite dishes laid out on the table.
"Is there a special occasion today?" Nezha asked in surprise. "I hope I haven't forgotten any important anniversary."
Ao Bing smiled and shook his head. "There's no special occasion; I just wanted to surprise you. You've been training hard lately, and I thought you might need a hearty dinner to replenish your energy."
Nezha was deeply touched and stepped forward to hug Ao Bing. "You're so thoughtful! But I should be the one surprising you."
Ao Bing chuckled lightly. "You surprise me every day; it's just in different ways."
After dinner, they snuggled on the sofa to watch a movie. This was their usual way of relaxing—Nezha enjoyed action films and sports-themed movies, while Ao Bing preferred art films and musicals. Tonight it was Ao Bing's turn to choose, and he picked a biographical film about a pianist.
"I have an idea," Ao Bing suddenly said halfway through the movie. "For the premiere of the Underwater Concert Hall, I want to invite your parents and my father to attend. This will be an important step for cultural exchange between the Dragon Tribe and humans, as well as an opportunity to showcase our joint achievements to our families."
Nezha's eyes lit up. "That's a brilliant idea! My parents have always wanted to learn more about Dragon Tribe culture, and Uncle Ao must be curious about the Human World too."
Ao Bing nodded. "Yes, it will be a great opportunity for both families to understand each other better, and for more people to see the possibility of harmony between the Dragon Tribe and humans."
Nezha suddenly remembered something. "By the way, I might have a competition on the day of the premiere. I need to discuss with my coach if we can adjust my schedule."
Ao Bing took Nezha's hand firmly. "If it can't be rescheduled, that's okay too. Your competition is equally important; we can arrange another family gathering for another time."
Nezha shook his head resolutely. "No, I will definitely attend the premiere. This is your important moment; I must be there to witness it."
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